Some questions on Copyright registrations

[breakaway]

I want to know why they require a real address? I just find it kind of un-nerving that anyone on the internet can easily find out where I live.

Also if I registered for a copyright a long time ago on something that I don't really care for anymore, can they delete it?

 

[divgradcurl]

I want to know why they require a real address?

So they can send you the registration form.

I just find it kind of un-nerving that anyone on the internet can easily find out where I live.

Then open a P.O. Box and use a pseudonym. Or hire an attorney to file it for you.

Also if I registered for a copyright a long time ago on something that I don't really care for anymore, can they delete it?

Not that I am aware of.

 

[breakaway]

Thanks

I actually just did a search on their website and I cannot find people's addresses on there. So maybe I'm safe

 

[divgradcurl]

Thanks

I actually just did a search on their website and I cannot find people's addresses on there. So maybe I'm safe

The contact information is not generally available on the website, but is available if someone were to ask for it via a Freedom of Information Act request, for example. It's not point-and-click, but the information is available, as a copyright registration is a public record.

In addition to the FOIA, you could probably also travel to the Library of Congress and find the address through a direct search of the archives.

 

[breakaway]

If it is a "public record" does that mean they can photocopy it and display it as fair use?

 

[divgradcurl]

If it is a "public record" does that mean they can photocopy it and display it as fair use?

Yes they can copy it and display it, but it is not a fair use issue, it is a public domain issue.

 

[breakaway]

I'm confused....are you saying the actual submitted copyright work becomes public domain?

 

[divgradcurl]

I'm confused....are you saying the actual submitted copyright work becomes public domain?

Of course not -- what would be the point of copyright registration if registration made the work a public domain work?

I was discussing the contact information that you would obtain via a FOIA relating to the actual registration -- that's a public record, and would be a public domain document, because it is a U.S. Government document.

 

[breakaway]

ah I see...sorry I had a brain fart....

So concerning the actual work that I submit, if someone wanted to see a copy of it, does the copyright office send them a copy for a small fee?

 

[divgradcurl]

ah I see...sorry I had a brain fart....

So concerning the actual work that I submit, if someone wanted to see a copy of it, does the copyright office send them a copy for a small fee?

I don't know, but I think it is very unlikely. The Copyright Office has no more right to make an unauthorized copy of a copyrighted work than you or I do.